> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/contribute/terminology.md).

# Terminology and naming

Use the same term for the same concept on every page, and prefer the official product term over a plausible synonym. Consistent terminology helps readers, and it directly improves how AI tools (search, the docs assistant, and coding agents) find and use the docs.

This page is the source of truth for product terminology. Vale checks some pairs automatically. The rest rely on author and reviewer judgement.

## Casing

* **In prose, use sentence case:** "Add a trigger node", "create a sub-workflow".
* **For a literal UI label or node name, use bold with the product's exact casing:** "Select **Add trigger**", "the **HTTP Request** node". Match what the interface shows.
* **Write the product name as `n8n`,** always lowercase, even at the start of a sentence.

## Core concepts

| Do use                            | Don't use                                                                 |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| workflow                          | flow, automation (as a noun for the whole thing), scenario, pipeline, zap |
| node                              | step, block, action, module                                               |
| execution (one run of a workflow) | run (as a noun), job, invocation                                          |

## Workflow lifecycle

| Do use                                            | Don't use                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| publish, unpublish a workflow; published workflow | activate, deactivate, enable, disable, turn on, go live, deploy |
| run, execute a workflow (verb)                    | kick off, fire                                                  |
| pin data; pinned data                             | mock data, freeze data, lock data, sample data                  |

## Nodes

| Do use                                            | Don't use                                     |
| ------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| app node                                          | integration node, service node                |
| core node                                         | system node                                   |
| cluster node; root node; sub-node                 | parent node, child node, super node           |
| community node (installable, community-published) | custom node, third-party node, plugin, add-on |

## Canvas and editor

| Do use       | Don't use                                                           |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| canvas       | editor board, diagram, workspace, graph                             |
| sticky note  | comment, annotation, label, memo                                    |
| sub-workflow | subworkflow, sub workflow, subflow, child workflow, nested workflow |

## Platform and deployment

| Do use            | Don't use                                     |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| self-hosted       | self hosted, on-premise, on-premises, on-prem |
| n8n Cloud; Cloud  | hosted version, SaaS, the cloud, managed n8n  |
| instance          | server, deployment, box                       |
| Enterprise (plan) | enterprise edition, premium, paid tier        |

## Features

| Do use               | Don't use                                    |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| project              | workspace, team space                        |
| folder               | directory (in the app), group                |
| environment variable | env (as a noun), config var                  |
| data table           | database table, datatable, the table feature |

## Product and brand names

| Do use                          | Don't use                      |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| n8n (lowercase, always)         | N8n, N8N, n8N                  |
| GitHub, npm, JavaScript, OAuth2 | Github, NPM, Javascript, oAuth |